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NEWS
Celebrity bikes to go under the hammer
Fonzie's Triumph heads the list of celeb's bikes going to auction in OctoberThe motorcycle that helped make Arthur Fonzarelli aka 'The Fonz', the icon of cool – the 1949 Triumph Trophy 500 Custom (frame number TC11198T), will go under the hammer next month.
The bike was originally owned by Hollywood stuntman, racer and provider of bikes to the studios Bud Ekins (it was Ekins who actually jumped the barbed-wire fence in The Great Escape, doubling for his mate Steve McQueen). This '49 Triumph is one of three Triumph motorcycles The Fonz used during the show’s 10-year run. According to Bud Ekins, all three Triumphs used on the show were 500cc Trophy models of various years – two of which went missing/stolen, or ridden into the ground and sold for parts.
Eventually, when the show ended, Ekins sold the third and only remaining 'Fonzie' Triumph to friend and motorcycle collector Mean Marshall Ehlers where it has resided since 1990.
Designed to accommodate Henry Winkler’s inability to ride larger bikes, Ekins had supplied Paramount’s show producers with the beat-up Scrambler, yanking off the front fender, bolted on a set of buckhorn handle bars and spray painted the fuel tank silver. It is often rumored that Winkler was frequently pushed on the bike by stage-hands, confirmed by his own admissions due to his inability to ride a motorcycle. Fonzie’s silver Triumph became a pop culture icon, appearing on countless lunchboxes, posters, t-shirts, model kits and magazines.
The 'cool factor' of this Triumph is impossible to quantify or duplicate. But it'll cost you around $100,000 - $150,000 according to the auction house.
If music is more your thing, then how about the chopper built for Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham? Inspired by the legendary 'Captain America' chopper from Easy Rider, the four members of Led Zeppelin commissioned Ron Hagest, owner of California-based Burbank Customs, to create Triumph-based choppers for each of the band mates. Hagest designed and built the motorcycles based on a rigid, hard-tail frame with customised twisted-steel springer front forks and stacked rectangular headlights.
Replete with the Union Jack paint scheme on the tank and the old king-and-queen seat with sissy bar, each member of the band had his particular “rune,” or symbol (Bonham’s being three intersecting circles, as seen on the cover of their fourth album) welded and chromed on the sissy bar. The Triumph 650cc twin is from a 1970 T120 Bonneville. Not bad buying at $30,000 to $50,000.
If you want to get a bit more adventurous, then how about Evel Knievel's Harley-Davidson Eagle 'Stratocycle' from Viva Knievel! (Warner Bros., 1977)?
The Harley, custom built on a modified 1976 Harley XLCH Sportster 1000, features a futuristic fiberglass fairing with integrated wings, custom exhaust ports, and sports a red, white and blue eagle-motif paint scheme.
Ridden by Knievel in the daring rescue sequence when he breaks his mechanic friend, played by Gene Kelly, out of the mental hospital. Its unique and dramatic appearance prompted a toy version of the Stratocycle to be made by Ideal Toy Company (the most valuable and collectable of all Evel Knievel toys). The provenance of this motorcycle is exceptional and it comes with original California registration card issued for (VIN# 4A20750H6) from AMF Harley Davidson MTR Co. to Warner Bros. Inc.
The Stratocycle has undergone cosmetic restoration; the Plexiglas windscreen and alloy wheels have been replaced to bring it back to its on-screen appearance. This is the only known film-used, stunt-ridden motorcycle by Evel Knievel to reach the auction block. Worthy of inclusion in the finest collections of motorcycles and Americana. Price? How about $200,000 to $300,000?
For more into or to check out these and other celebrity and collector bikes go to www.invaluable.com
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Written byGeoff Middleton
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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